The other day I got a reader request for an asparagus grilled cheese sandwich topped with an egg which sounded good. I was immediatly thinking about a croque-madame which is a grilled ham and cheese sandwich topped with an egg and I was thinking a fried egg. It was the end of the week however, and although I was lucky enough to have some asparagus left in the fridge, I was fresh out of eggs so I had to settle for just an asparagus grilled cheese sandwich. Since this sandwich was only going to have a few ingredients, I decided to roast the asparagus to enhance its natural flavour. For the sandwich, I started with a whole grain bread with a slight sweetness to it and I added some oka cheese that I had in the fridge that needed to be finished. (I would also have easily gone with some gruyere if I had had some on hand.) I finished the sandwich off with a hit of grainy mustard to add even more flavour and a bit of bite. I have to say, this roasted asparagus grilled cheese sandwich is one really nice way to enjoy some fresh summer asparagus!
Asparagus Grilled Cheese Sandwich
A crispy golden brown grilled cheese sandwich with tender roasted asparagus and plenty of ooey gooey melted cheese!
ingredients
- 6-8 stalks asparagus, trimmed and cleaned
- 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 teaspoons grainy mustard
- 1 tablespoon salted butter, room temperature
- 2 slices bread (gluten-free for gluten-free)
- 1/2 cup gruyere cheese, shredded (or 2 slices), room temperature
directions
- Toss the asparagus in the oil, salt and pepper, arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake in a preheated 400F/200C oven until tender, about 10-20 minutes.
- Butter the outside of each slice of bread, spread the mustard on the inside, sprinkle half of the cheese on one slice of bread, top with the asparagus, the remaining cheese and finally the other slice of bread.
- Grill in a pan, preheated over medium heat, until golden brown on both sides and the cheese has melted, about 2-4 minutes per side.
Option: Use oka cheese, swiss, havarti, etc. instead of the gruyere.
Belinda @zomppa says
With or without egg, this looks amazing!
Pam says
What a great idea!
Jenn@slim-shoppin says
That sammy looks so pretty! I love the stems coming out of the sides.
I roast asparagus, but never know how long to do it for. I guess I didn't realize if they were thicker, I could go 30 minutes and still be ok.
Great idea!
Anonymous says
Okedokey. Not bad (of course LOOKS fantastic!) But I am such a fan of asparagus that I wouldn't put it "IN" any thing. But the roasted idea might work with salt/fresh ground pepper/ splash of lemon or lime. A drizzle of melted butter wouldn't hurt . . .:)
Michelle says
omgosh i've never heard of such a thing and now i need it immediately!
Anonymous says
Any more requests,George???
Rosa's Yummy Yums says
It is a great idea to add asparagus ina grilled sandwich! Yummy!
Cheers,
Rosa
Joanne says
My dad makes this fabulous stromboli stuffed with asparagus and mozzarella so I can speak from experience that asparagus and melted cheese is a godo thing!
Lauren says
Sinply gorgeous, Kevin. I'll be making this sandwich many times over the course of asparagus season!
Nina Timm says
This sandwich has a double crunch!!!! Yum!
Katerina says
Although asparagus is not my most favorite vegetable this sandwich looks fantastic and I would definitely try it if I had it.
Kate Morgan Jackson says
wow, what a great take on grilled cheese! I've done it with tomatoes but never asaparagus — thanks for the post!
Kalyn says
Brilliant idea! I am imagining the flavor right now.
Gina says
Kevin, this looks amazing!
Ameya says
Hi Kevin,
I love asparagus and I love cheese, so I'm sure I would love this sandwich! 🙂
You have an awesome blog! I've followed it for quite a while now 🙂 I also just started my own food blog. Feel free to check it out at your convenience: http://www.spicesavant.blogspot.com. Any comments/feedback would be welcome!
Chef E says
I LOVE your post on asparagus! I guess you did buy a bundle of them, as you said a few post ago, and I am going to make this one, its cheese'alicious!
juliana says
i was reading through your blog – and it is great! what an array of recipes – and i thought that this may be something you'd enjoy: http://www.norecipes.com/2009/07/14/slow-roasted-salmon-recipe/ i've made it a fair few times now and it is one of the nicest things that i've ever eaten. i also made your halibut-wrapped-prosciutto yesterday and it was absolutely fantastic
pastry studio says
That is one of the most beautiful sandwiches I've ever seen. I'm not a big sandwich eater, but this is my idea of deliciousness. That bread look fantastic and your presentation and photo are just stunning! I will serve this for a crowd.
Cooking with Kait says
Great presentation. That sandwich looks so great with the cheese oozing out.
Jamie-lee says
What an amazingly yummy looking picture!!
Amara says
Ummmmmm, rico,rico,me encanta la idea.
Un saludo desde AndalucÃa, España
Ambika says
That is one good looking sandwich!!!
Kevin says
Jenn@slim-shoppin: Because the various thicknesses of the asparagus can vary the roasting time, I generally try to keep an eye on it and poke it with a fork every once in a while to see if it is tender yet.
Harvest Kitchen Sisters says
this looks amazing!
Beautiful picture.
a
Baking is my Zen...sweet nibbles for the soul says
All my fav ingredients…your photography is always spot on…
What I like most about your blog is the simplicity of your dishes…yet with pizzaz.:)
Carmen
Hazel says
I saw this and knew instantly I HAD to make it! Two of my favorite things together – goodness, can't wait to try it out! Thanks for the great recipe and wonderful picture that got me hooked 🙂
Pam says
What an excellent photo! I love, love, love this sandwich.
Marianna says
wow… this is one crazy looking sandwich (in the positive sense that is!!) i am definately gonna give this a try at home, it looks irresistible! havent been blog-hopping lately as life hadnt been giving me time, but i noticed the quality of your pics has really changed quite a lot!! was curious to know if you were using a new camera?? your pics are looking fab
Sophie says
A brilliant picture, Kevin!! Waw!!
This sandwich is surely spine trilling!!
I will make this tasty sandwich with white asparagus instead of the greens!!
Thanks!! MMMMMMMMMM,…lovely food!
Vivienne says
Wow – when i saw the oozing melting cheese from foodgawker I almost drooled! YUM!! Going to give this a try 😉
Kevin says
Marianna: I have found that it is more the lighting than the camera that has been helping me improve my photos. I am currently experimenting with off camera flash using an umbrella and I have been liking the results.
Marisa says
Would've never thought to add asparagus to a grilled cheese sandwich, but dang it looks good! Love the asparagus tips peeking out from one end.
fmrl says
this looks delicious!
Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction says
Oh my goodness… LOVE this!
Sandie says
I made these for my lunch today, and they are…AMAZING!! I couldnt find any Oka cheese here in Wisconsin, so I used a combination of Muenster and Provolone cheeses, and it still tastes absolutely divine! I also used Dijon mustard instead of the spicy mustard… Yum!
Anonymous says
i was just looking for something to do with the asparagus i just bought, so i found this and just made it – thanks for a great dinner idea! the mustard is perfect
Anonymous says
OMG…i think i love you. I KNOW i love all of the toasted cheese recipes……
Charles says
Long time – no see. Hope you're doing well. This is so cool looking and tasty I'm sure. Are you still in love with your 7D?
Kevin says
Charles: Yep, the 7D is an amazing camera! 🙂
Anonymous says
Hi, I just wanted to say that I made this sandwich yesterday night at home and it was really amazing, I did using some Spanish cheese as it was the only one I had at home, it was so creamy, and tasty I just couldn´t believe it, I think you should give it a try.
just have a look at this website and let me know what do you think.
kind regards
Ana
http://www.asturiascheese.com/spanish-cheese
Anonymous says
I am so happy I stumbled across you on pinterest! I shall be building the Asparagus Grilled Cheese Sandwich tonight. Looks so yummy. Thank you – Tracy L. Jax Bch, FL
Anonymous says
I made a grilled cheese with asparagus recently as well, I made it with the following ingredients:
2 slices of fresh oatmeal bread
1 slice of smoked Gouda
1 slice of provolone
a tablespoon or so of shredded mozzarella
6 sun dried tomatoes
5 stalks of asparagus that were slightly sauted
it was absolutely amazing and so pretty that I even took a picture of it
Maryam Bawamia says
this looks yummy ! can't wait to try it.. will let you know about the results 🙂
Trevor says
What an awesome idea. I'm totally hooked on white asparagus and hollandaise. This looks like it pulls together that creaminess and the fresh vegetable into a sandwich. Who wouldn't like that? Can't wait to try it next time I find some fresh asparagus!
Kim Raymond says
Hi Kevin!
I think that this website is using your picture without your permission ou without crediting your work.
http://www.ecolivinglondon.org/blogs/food-amp-drink/creole-asparagus-grilled-cheese-sandwiches#comment-747
Kim
Kevin says
Kim: Thanks for letting me know about this!
Emily : RainbowDelicious.com says
We love this grilled cheese sandwich recipe! I used my panini press and they turned out great! I feautred this recipe in my most recent weekly meal plan on my blog, thanks!
Des says
Oh. My. Goodness. I am all over this.
Anonymous says
I'd make just one small change, grilled vidalia onion layered in w/ the asparagus. Delish!
Anonymous says
This looks delious, but i don't see the part on how to add the asparagus to the sandwich. Do you put the asparagus in the sandwich while you cook it? Can someone give me clarity.
kevin says
Anonymous: Add the asparagus to the sandwich when assembling it before cooking it.
C-horse says
Not a fan of roasted veggies so I steamed the asparagus. Added ham to the sandwich too and popped in the panini maker. Absolutely delicious and my company loved it too! Thanks for an innovative, delicious and pretty sandwich!